Among the red paint-brush flowers and tall grasses lay a few, almost forgotten, headstones at Simmons Cemetery. A group of volunteers gathered last Tuesday out in a hidden corner of Ben Franklin to tend to those buried in the cemetery.
The sounds of chainsaws and mowers filled the air as 93-year old Delta County resident Clarice Maddox oversaw the work – contributed to some of her family’s plots. In fact most of those volunteering to work had family buried in the cemetery. Some of the headstones date back to the 1800s. Helping lead the way was Delta County Judge Herb Brookshire, Dr. Torance Vandygriff, Cemetery Board President E.J. Cates, Sheriff Ricky Smith and his department and inmates, and many more worked to manicure the cemetery.
Those helping received a complimentary lunch and refreshments.
Donations are appreciated to continue the care for the cemetery and can be sent to Enloe State Bank in care of Cemetery Board Treasurer Gracie Young.